Legions of stars continue paying tribute to Betty White
Los Angeles, California - Tributes have continued to pour in for actor Betty White over the weekend, who died on Friday – less than three weeks before her 100th birthday.
The death of the award-winning actor, best known for starring as Rose in the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls, has been met by an outpouring of grief and memories from the biggest names in Hollywood and politics.
White appeared in other hit sitcoms including Hot In Cleveland, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Betty White Show, and Life With Elizabeth during a career spanning more than 80 years.
Dolly Parton wrote on Twitter: "Betty will live forever not only in this world but the world here after. I will always love her as we all will!"
President Joe Biden is also among the high profile figures who have expressed their sadness over her death, writing on Twitter: "Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She's a cultural icon who will be sorely missed."
Veteran singer Bette Middler also expressed her sadness, writing: "#BettyWhite has died. 2021 really was a b***h and a 1/2."
Ryan Reynolds, who starred with White in the 2009 rom-com The Proposal, has also paid tribute after the pair shared a lengthy friendship and jokey flirtation.
"The world looks different now," he wrote in an emotional tribute. "She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We'll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret."
In an interview with People ahead of White's upcoming 100th birthday on January 17, she teased him about having a crush on her, saying: "I've heard Ryan can't get over his thing for me, but Robert Redford is The One."
Reynolds responded by tweeting just days ago: "I'm absolutely sick of the media exploiting past relationships just to drive clicks."
Tributes poured in from the celebrity world
The remembrances continued.
Former first lady Michelle Obama said White had "broken barriers" and "served her country," and that her joy would be missed by people all around the world. She shared a personal picture of the actor with the Obamas' family dog, Bo.
Legally Blonde star Witherspoon praised White for "making us all laugh" while talk show hosts Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey also paid separate tributes to White.
DeGeneres said that White had led an "exceptional life" and that she was "grateful for every second" she got to spend with her.
Sharing a picture of the pair together, Winfrey said she was: "Celebrating 99 years of your love on the planet."
Sex And The City's Sarah Jessica Parker shared a photo to Instagram of White from her younger years wearing a red and white striped outfit and a string of pearls, and described her as a "treasure."
Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred alongside White in the 2010 American comedy You Again, posted a magazine cover of the pair with Kristen Bell, and wrote: "What women WANT is to live a life like Betty White. Full of love and creativity and integrity and humor and dedication and a life of service to animals."
Curtis also encouraged people to donate to an animal advocacy group on behalf of White, as she said the actor would "love" that.
Actor Kerry Washington also shared an image of a young White in a white and black formal gown, as well as a video clip from their Saturday Night Live sketch together for the comedy show's 40th anniversary. She said working with the veteran comedian had been "an absolute privilege of a lifetime" and a moment she will "forever treasure."
"Heaven just got a new superstar to celebrate with tonight!" Washington added.
Aquaman actor Jason Momoa also posted a photo of the two of them together and wrote: "I love you Betty, so thankful for you RIP Aloha J".
Actor Viola Davis remarked that during White's 99 years, she "blew a huge hole in this world that will inspire generations".
During her career, White wrote several books and won five Primetime Emmy Awards out of 21 nominations, as well as a handful of other top accolades.
The screen veteran was also named the female entertainer with the longest television career by Guinness World Records, having started out in 1939.
Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO/Everett Collection & UPI Photo